Dead tree in the vacant lot next door. January 28, 2010.
This is my post for the My World meme. It is hosted by Klaus, Ivar, Sandy, Wren, and Fishing Guy. To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.
The dead tree in the photo above is in the vacant lot below our house here in the Glade. We’ve noticed the holes in the tree for a couple of years, but now the holes that were there seem larger and there seem to be more of them.
I’ve decided that this dead tree is really a woodpecker buffet. Woodpeckers come and get what they want to eat — the different holes simply represent the locations of different insects. The size of the hole gives an indication of how popular that particular dish actually is.
Betsy is skeptical about my theory, but it makes perfect sense to me. There’s only one problem. If the woodpeckers don’t curb their appetites soon, the whole buffet is going to come crashing down.
Senior Moments 
February 1, 2011 at 4:43 am |
You bring to mind a similar dead tree in our woods here many years ago. Eventually, the woodpeckers’ buffet came crushing down. Great picture George.
February 1, 2011 at 8:42 am |
It’s a holey tree for sure. Woodpecker repast. MB
February 1, 2011 at 8:46 am |
phooey, i just wrote a long reply and did not notice my name had disapeared and it errored out and i lost it. short story is i agree with you and it is a buffet. forget what else i said. phooey again
February 1, 2011 at 9:42 am |
I agree with you George. Now you need to camp out there and catch them in action.
February 1, 2011 at 10:40 am |
You’ll have to sit and watch for the pecker to eat his dinner and catch him in the act with your camera. Good luck. Thanks for sharing.
February 1, 2011 at 11:21 am |
Yes, I think you’re right, George! Now if you can just catch them in action! Amazing how much bigger the holes have gotten isn’t it? Hope your week is off to a great start!
Sylvia
February 1, 2011 at 11:38 am |
I think you’re right — and eventually, it’ll come crashing down!
February 1, 2011 at 11:43 am |
So, even dead trees can sustain life.
February 1, 2011 at 12:19 pm |
Wonderful shot, very artistic.
February 1, 2011 at 1:11 pm |
Great photos!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
February 1, 2011 at 2:18 pm |
I’ve really never seen anything like this! Holes going all the way through. The woodpecker theory is very interesting. But if the tree is dead, do you think there would be insects in it? What would they get from it? Maybe termites or some such thing, wood borers. Now you have to set up a 24 hour surveillance camera for us George, we want to know!!
February 1, 2011 at 4:20 pm |
A Woodpecker buffet! I love it 🙂 We have a few in our backyard! I LOVE going out back and listening to them peck away! Nothing phases them….not the dogs barking or kids playing ~ They just keep at it!
Great pic!
February 1, 2011 at 7:04 pm |
I wish more people were willing to leave trees like this for woodpeckers and other birds, but usually they just want to get rid of a dead tree.
February 1, 2011 at 9:46 pm |
I’m smiling at the thoughts George!
I won’t be able to look at a tree filled with holes again without thinking
“woodpecker buffet”!
February 2, 2011 at 9:19 am |
After that buffet comes crashing down, they will simply find another…
I like the photo from the Talullah River! I love that name, and have suggested it for a cat, but Husband vetoed it. It makes him think of some old, sloppy morbidly obese woman…
February 2, 2011 at 6:20 pm |
I hope nobody climbs the tree. I had a nasty experience climbing and falling when I was 12.